13 posts in this topic

This is the OFFICIAL thread of the 2009 Cruising LH/Route 66, from Illinois to California! Specific details and some aspects need to be finalized, so watch for updates....

The information is spread over 2 SECTIONS:

#1...

...Background

...Routes/Traveling

...PBS Specials

...Possible Book Offer

...Fundraisers

...Sponsorships

...The People

...Planning Assistants

#2...

...Dates

...Proposed Schedule

If you need to contact me about this event at any time, my __Cell Ph#__ is noted in my signature at the end of the details (Post #2).

**** BACKGROUND ****

None of my yearly road trips have taken me all the way to California or welcomed people to join me for part or all of the DRIVING portions of the trip; this one will do BOTH...and follow the path of "The Mother Road".... I am planning a cruise along Route 66 ... with stops at icons and places along the way to explore Route 66 and, of course, meet people. This is an invitation to ALL to join this "convoy" from Illinois to California ... or any place along the way you are able to meet.

This event developed from a suggestion by ChevyTalk's Bobs53PU...and, because of my own interest in Route 66, I ran with the idea. I'm curious about Route 66 because I enjoy older cars and roads. The song "Route 66" has had a part in my interest, and a special on PBS about a mother/daughter duo who took the Route 66 trip also peaked my interest. BUT...what deepened my curiosity about Route 66 was the movie "Cars". Strange, yes, but "Cars" featured a lot of scenes from Route 66 ... and was based on actual people and places along Route 66. It also featured history of the road, and illustrated the effect of interstates, such as I-40, on life along Route 66.

Since the movie "Cars", I've made a mental note that "one day" I'd travel the basic path of Route 66, of which I personally have not driven much. I was along it somewhat during my October 2004 road trip...

One is the LINCOLN HIGHWAY, with which I'm somewhat familiar, given the historic marker signs along IL RT 38 through Geneva IL towards Elburn IL and points farther west. I've also driven much of the LH, including the path in IL as well as along I-80 in Wyoming during my aforementioned October 2004 road trip and during my trips back and forth to PA via RT 30. Unlike Route 66, the LH covers the United States, coast to coast. Maybe someday I'll find/have time to travel that ENTIRE route and, if I do, it'll be a planned event, similar to this one.

A program about Route 66 was broadcast on PBS a few times last year. It featured a mother and daughter traveling Route 66 in a rented Mustang convertible and highlighted several sites along Route 66, including the Wigwam motel (featured in the movie "Cars").

While preparing this cruise along Route 66, I watched the PBS special about the LINCOLN HIGHWAY...and my interest and enthusiasm for the LH increased. "A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway", an exploration of the nation's first coast-to-coast highway (NYC to San Francisco, spanning 14 states), was broadcast on Chicago's WTTW, Channel 11, Wednesday, October 29, 8p-9p.

He kindly had a copy mailed to me. I have reviewed it (and plan to read it completely soon); it is an AWESOME book. I hope that, for those planning to join us on this "convoy", Jim Hinckley's book may be purchased at a discounted price. I am in the process of ironing out those details. Once that is complete, I will advise further...so watch for updates!

Yes, this trip is expensive. I hope to secure companies or groups as "sponsors" of portions of the trip (meals, hotels/motels, attractions, the "Cars" movie, gas stops, etc.) to assist with the costs and encourage more people to participate and more to donate to the worthy causes.

KUDOS to one such sponsor ... the FIRST GENERATION MONTE CARLO CLUB! Dues paying FGMCC members who participate in this event for more than 100 miles will each receive a $25 gas card. In addition, the FGMCC will sponsor food for everyone at one stop in IL, up to $100.

If you have suggestions of a company(s) or group(s) that might consider such a contribution to this event, please advise me.

**** THE PEOPLE ****

This is for ALL ages and levels of interest in Route 66. The FOCUS is OLDER cars, but newer cars are welcome, too! If you'd like to participate and want to ride with someone, please advise. We'll see what we can do to assist in making such arrangements.

I'm posting this to various groups/clubs:

ValveReplacement

ACHAheart.org

IL Monte Carlo Owners Group

MI MC Group

NY MC Club

MC Mailing List

El Camino ML

GM Inside News

Cheers and Gears

1st Gen MC Club

2nd Gen MC Yahoo Group

3rd Gen MCs

4th Gen MC SS

MyMonte, 5th gen

2000montecarlo.net, 6th gen

National MC Owners Association

Monte Millennium Generations

MC Forum

WickedMontes

ChevyTalk.org

TriplePlate

CarNuts.us

RaceFansGarage

FullThrottleV6

Please invite others of which you are a member...but, please advise me if anyone in your group decides to join us.

**** PLANNING ASSISTANTS ****

To ensure this is a success, I need some help planning. I'd like to have at least 1 volunteer in every state along the way to help arrange events, tours, shows, etc. Please contact me via Email (faithcubsmc2691 @ aol . com) if you are willing to help....

Yes, the first weekend is Labor Day Weekend, a busy/eventful weekend. It isn't "perfect" for me either (I usually wash/wax my car for the last time before winter), but this would, for most, be a 3-day weekend, good for 1 less vacation day from work used for the trip....

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1 ... Are you interested in the BOOK OFFER? Please advise me ASAP; I'd like to get this arranged so the books can be sent late 2008 or early 2009, well before this event.

2 ... I will start contacting groups / businesses next week for possible SPONSORSHIPS. If you know of a group or business that might be interested in participating in this way (similar to the FGMCC SPONSORSHIP already highlighted), please advise me.

3 ... Relative to SPONSORSHIPS, I have some ideas for TRIVIA CONTESTS to give away gift certificates, etc. More on this, should this develop further.

4 ... Please know that ALL ARE WELCOME ... REGARDLESS of transportation mode AND/OR how long you can join us. If you can only meet up for a morning breakfast, a daily stop, or an evening dinner, that is perfectly OK and ENCOURAGED!

5 ... Anyone willing to help plan in your home state? I'm still looking for some PLANNING ASSISTANTS!

7 ... Please keep in mind that the schedule is a PROPOSED timeline. As the plans for this are ironed out/finalized, times and places MAY change. For instance ... we will have an extra hour to drive from Amarillo TX to the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa NM ... because of the time zone change. Likewise, we will have an extra hour to drive from Gallup NM to the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert in AZ ... because of the time zone change.

8 ... I know the information is LONG and DETAILED. Please take some time to review it ... all the pertinent info needed for now is there.... However, I know some of the schedule may be changing...more to come.

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This is an OFFICIAL UPDATE for the 2009 Cruising LH/Route 66, from Illinois to California! Specific details and some aspects need to be finalized, so watch for updates.... We are ~9 MONTHS AWAY! Word IS getting out about this!

If you need to contact me about this event at any time, my __Cell Ph#__ is noted in my signature below.

**** DATES ****

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

Yes, the first weekend is Labor Day Weekend, a busy/eventful weekend. It isn't "perfect" for me either (I usually wash/wax my car for the last time before winter), but this would, for most, be a 3-day weekend, good for 1 less vacation day from work used for the trip....

Still ... IMHO, this is a chance of a lifetime; I hope others agree and join this "convoy"....

I have previously posted a PROPOSED SCHEDULE, which I know will look different than the ACTUAL SCHEDULE. Some places we will miss; others have been added. And, due to the time changes, we will have an extra hour to drive from Amarillo TX to Santa Rosa NM and an extra hour to drive from Gallup NM to the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert in AZ. Watch for more details of a REVISED SCHEDULE....

**** BACKGROUND ****

This event developed from a suggestion by ChevyTalk's Bobs53PU...and, because of my own interest in Route 66, I ran with the idea. Since the movie "Cars", I've made a mental note that "one day" I'd travel the basic path of Route 66, of which I personally have not driven much. I was along it somewhat during my October 2004 road trip...

In researching Route 66, I've discovered other "old routes", including the LINCOLN HIGHWAY, US ROUTE 20, US ROUTE 2, and THE DIXIE HIGHWAY. Maybe someday I'll have time to plan and actually travel the length of each of these, too....

This trip is expensive. I hope to secure companies or groups as "sponsors" of portions of the trip (meals, hotels/motels, attractions, the "Cars" movie, gas stops, etc.) to assist with the costs and encourage more people to participate and more to donate to the worthy causes.

KUDOS to the FIRST SPONSOR ... FIRST GENERATION MONTE CARLO CLUB! Dues paying FGMCC members who participate in this event for more than 100 miles will each receive a $25 gas card. In addition, the FGMCC will sponsor food for everyone at one stop in IL, up to $100.

If you have suggestions of a company(s) or group(s) that might consider such a contribution to this event, please advise me. I have started contacting groups and businesses regarding sponsorships and assistance in the form of PRIZES for TRIVIA CONTESTS; I am awaiting replies....

**** THE PEOPLE ****

None of my yearly road trips have taken me all the way to California or welcomed people to join me for part or all of the DRIVING portions of the trip; this one will do BOTH...and follow the path of "The Mother Road".

This is for ALL ages and levels of interest in Route 66 to join this "convoy" from Illinois to California, for the entire trip ... or at any place along the way you are able and want to meet (for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or at an attraction we visit). The FOCUS is OLDER cars, but ALL modes of transportation are welcome! If you'd like to participate and want to ride with someone, please advise. We'll see what we can do to assist in making such arrangements.

I've posted invitations to these groups/clubs:

ValveReplacement

ACHAheart.org

IL Monte Carlo Owners Group

MI MC Group

NY MC Club

MC Mailing List

El Camino ML

GM Inside News

Cheers and Gears

1st Gen MC Club

2nd Gen MC Yahoo Group

3rd Gen MCs

4th Gen MC SS

MyMonte, 5th gen

2000montecarlo.net, 6th gen

National MC Owners Association

Monte Millennium Generations

MC Forum

MC City Revival

WickedMontes

ChevyTalk.org

TriplePlate

CarNuts.us

RaceFansGarage

FullThrottleV6

Please invite others of which you are a member...but, please advise me if anyone in your group decides to participate.

WILL YOU JOIN US? Please advise NOW, even if you are only THINKING about attending. I NEED AN IDEA OF HOW MANY PEOPLE MAY ATTEND THIS SO I CAN PLAN TIMES AND PLACES AND EVENTS ACCORDINGLY.... The next update may include the first edition of the attendance list....

**** PLANNING ASSISTANTS ****

To ensure this is a success, I need some help planning. I'd like to have at least 1 volunteer in every state along the way to help arrange events, tours, shows, etc. Please contact me via Email (faithcubsmc2691 @ aol . com) if you are willing to help....

Missouri ... ?

Kansas ... ?

Oklahoma ... ChevyTalk's Dee Gee and Bobs53PU

Texas ... ?

New Mexico ... ?

Arizona ... ChevyTalk's hinckley, who will help in various aspects of the planning....

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Will YOU join us? Even if you are just THINKING about driving the entire trip or meeting us at one spot along the way or traveling with us part of the way, please let me know ASAP. I need to know so I can plan accordingly with attractions along the way, restaurants, places to stay, etc.

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If any of you thinking about joining this are wondering how you'll get your vehicle back home, I may have a solution.

A cousin of mine works for All Wheels Recovery ... and has told me that he can haul cars back from California in September. If you are interested in this, please let me know ASAP....

**** RADIO STATIONS ****

I've been thinking it might be cool to tell classic rock and classic country radio stations along the way about this ... to see if they'd want to come out when we are in their area.... I just need to find out and contact stations along the way....

**** PLACES TO BE CONTACTED ****

This is why I need you to let me know you are thinking about joining this, even if you aren't sure at this point if you will or not. In planning this, the following places (as well as hotels/motels for places to stay and restaurants for meals along the way) will need to be contacted.....

IHOP or Steak'n'Shake, Elgin IL

LH Association Headquarters, Dixon IL

Cozy Dog, Springfield IL

Becky's Barn, south of Springfield

Ariston Cafe and JoBetts, Litchfield IL

Henrys Ra66it Ranch

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St Louis MO

Meramec Caverns MO

Cafe on the Route, Baxter Springs KS

Foyil OK, Portland Cement concrete paving

Afton OK Station

POPS and the Round Barn, Arcadia OK

Drive-in theater, Guthrie OK, "Cars" movie

National Rt 66 Museum, Elk City OK

Sandhills Curiosity Shop, Erick OK

U Drop Inn, Shamrock TX

Phillips 66 Station, McClean TX

Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo TX

Route 66 Auto Museum, Santa Rosa NM

Rip Griffin Truck stop, Moriarty NM

Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque NM

Petrified Forest/Painted Desert AZ

Wigwam Motel, place to stay

LaPosada Hotel

Meteor Crater Visitor Center

Pine Country Restaurant, Williams AZ

Snow Cap, Seligman AZ

Hualapai Lodge, Peach Springs AZ

Barstow Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum, visit 10a-3p with break for lunch, HAVE to call to arrange a visit

... the NATIONAL MONTE CARLO OWNERS ASSOCIATION, whose MC Nationals will be in Collinsville IL (STL area), June 26-28, 2009. Participating dues-paying NMCOA members will receive a gift certificate or gift card. The NMOCA pledges up to $150!

ITINERARY/DETAILS...IN THE "IRONING OUT" STAGE!

... The CURRENT ITINERARY is the one posted (above) in early March. However, given the "fine tuning" of details, changes WILL be made. I'll post a "final" itinerary closer to September, but for those thinking/planning to join OR meet us somewhere along the way, it will not be far from what it is now.... Course, I expect the "spontaneous experiences" along the road will alter the itinerary as we drive....

... I've started contacting Route 66 businesses and Associations to discuss possibilities/details and have received wonderful responses. I look forward to further replies and information. "Highlights" and websites related to these conversations include:

...and a tour of the California Route 66 Museum (Victorville), right before the ending dinner (which will push the dinner back to about 5:30p or 6p, instead of starting at the current itinerary time of 4:30p)....

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Changes to the CURRENT ITINERARY (posted in early March) are taking place.

In the NEXT UPDATE (a month or so from now), I will post a REVISED ITINERARY which will incorporate the links and list of places to visit I have noted in the last update and below in this update. I also hope to have a few more details ironed out/in process.

In the meantime, more notes....

1 ... Even if you are just THINKING about joining us for any part of this, PLEASE ADVISE ME...NOW! I am hoping to secure more sponsors and, perhaps, some blocks of rooms and restaurant reservations along the way.

2 ... I've continued to contact Route 66 businesses and associations to discuss possibilities/details and have received welcoming replies thus far. I look forward to more feedback and plans being made as I continue to make contacts in the next month or so....

3 ... To continue the list of visits to places, etc., that I started in the last update, "highlights" for additional contacts I've made thus far since that last update include:

4 ... I still have many plans to finalize. This includes the Saturday, September 5, stop in Springfield IL; COZY DOG will NOT be open that evening. I am currently attempting to find a new location to meet, perhaps Homestyle Cafe....

Other parts of the trip and visits to be reviewed/scheduled/finalized include....

Of my MCs, that one is probably the most appropriate for Route 66; however, to be "road trip worthy", it needs new tires, probably a good wax, and a different radio (currently has the original AM radio)...or at least a different way to listen to tunes along the way....

This year's trip follows the "Mother Road"...Route 66! Consider this YOUR INVITATION to join this "convoy" from Illinois to California. ALL ARE WELCOME ... REGARDLESS of transportation mode [i will rent a car, so I can enjoy the road, the people and the places more] OR how long you can join us. If you can only meet up for a morning breakfast, a daily stop, or an evening dinner, that is ENCOURAGED!

This developed from a suggestion by ChevyTalk's Bobs53PU...and, because of my own interest in Route 66, I ran with the idea. My interest in Route 66 (and other famous roads) is partly because of my interest in nostalgia and old vehicles ... partly because of the song "Route 66" ... partly because of a PBS special about a mother/daughter duo who drove Route 66 in a rented Mustang convertible ... and partly because of the movie "CARS", which featured a lot of scenes from Route 66, was based on actual people/places along Route 66, and featured history of the road, illustrating the effect of interstates, such as I-40, on life along Route 66. I will bring my DVD of the movie "Cars" and a DVD player. Perhaps we can plan to watch the movie some evening or during a meal....

If interested in meeting along the way, either along Route 66 or on my return trip to Illinois, please contact me via cell phone or Email. I will have my laptop with me, but I do not know how often I'll be able to check Email, etc.

EMAIL:

faithcubsmc2691

@

aol.com

[use this Email address to search for me on FACEBOOK.]

CELL PH#:

847-

337-

9897

**** SPONSORS ****

KUDOS to...

...1ST GEN MONTE CARLO CLUB:

Dues-paying FGMCC members participating in this event for more than 100 miles will each receive a $25 gas card. The FGMCC will also sponsor food for everyone at one stop in IL, up to $100.

...NATIONAL MC OWNERS ASSOC:

Dues-paying NMCOA members will receive a gift certificate or gift card. The NMOCA pledges up to $150!

**** NEW / REVISED SCHEDULE ****

PLEASE NOTE...

...ALL times are APPROXIMATE.

...Travel times based on 30 mph.

...Schedule is SUBJECT TO CHANGE as we drive the route....

...The "skeletal" plans for my return trip to Illinois from California ARE at the end of the itinerary. Not sure yet where I will stay (maybe/hopefully with family or friends along the way...), nor am I sure where I will stop for meals. If you are along that path, please contact me if you want to meet!!!